Tribute to Muslims in the United States

TRIBUTE TO MUSLIMS IN THE UNITED STATES -- (Extensions of Remarks - May 05, 2006)

* Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend an important community in Oklahoma's Fourth Congressional District. It is often said that the media in general does not run enough positive news, and I am afraid that this is especially, and unfortunately, the case for American Muslims. Many have associated the terrible events of September 11, 2001, with the millions of law-abiding, good-hearted Muslims in the United States. I wish to set the record straight about those decent Americans who work to make their communities and our Nation a better place to live, work, and worship.

* A poll conducted in 2004 uncovered some troubling numbers, Mr. Speaker. Those consulted were asked to give the first thought that came to their minds upon hearing the word, ``Muslim.'' Two-thirds had a neutral reply: ``religion'' or ``mosque,'' to give two examples. A little less than a third, 32 percent, had negative replies: ``violence,'' ``hatred,'' and, I am sorry to say, epithets unsuitable for polite company. Only two percent of respondents had comments considered positive.

* Numbers the following year, 2005, were more promising. Negative comments had fallen six percent to total 26 percent. Positive comments had tripled from two percent to six percent. Still, the sum of positive comments is far too low for such a vibrant community. Further, these numbers mean that the negative comments outnumber positive comments by a little more than four-to-one.

* Mr. Speaker, these numbers were as startling to me as they were to the many Muslims I know, respect, and represent. My home state of Oklahoma has a dynamic and growing Muslim community. Given public perceptions of the faith by Americans at large, much of their activity is directed at educating the public about themselves and their beliefs. Education about the Muslim community is clearly important as less than half of Americans claim to be ``very knowledgeable'' or ``somewhat knowledgeable'' of Islam.

* I am pleased to report that in my home state of Oklahoma, Muslim groups are among the first to respond in times of crisis. Oklahoma's Muslims gave generously to the victims of the Oklahoma City bombing, to earthquake victims in Turkey, and to those who suffered from the tsunamis along the Pacific Rim. They came to help when Hurricane Katrina struck, adopting and helping resettle displaced families. Three days after September 11, 2001, these men and women hosted a blood drive for victims in Washington and New York.

* Oklahoma's Muslims also do much within our state. They host a free medical clinic in my state and often pay bills and rent for the needy. They adopt highways and contribute to public libraries, reach out to students and to other faiths. They host T-ball teams and Scout troops. In short, they are valued members of our communities.

* Like all Americans, Oklahoma Muslims want good schools for their children, talk over the dinner table about how to pay the bills, and want to balance their work with their home life. The values and common interests that they share with their fellow Oklahomans far outweigh any differences in matters of faith. I urge my colleagues, and my fellow Americans, to get to know their Muslim neighbors next door. They help make America the vibrant, tolerant country it is. After all, whatever one's faith, in this land of liberty we are all Americans.

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